The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domesticated and wild birds from New Zealand. On Monday, 13 October 2025, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order (MO) No. 62 citing the World Organization for Animal Health’s declaration that all previous cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been resolved, with no new outbreaks reported as of this month.

The ban was initially imposed in January earlier this year following a spike of cases of HPAI in New Zealand.

“New Zealand is now free from HPAI,” Tiu Laurel said. “Import transactions for the specified commodities, slaughtered or produced after the issuance of this order, may resume in accordance with existing DA rules and regulations,” he added.

MO No. 62 authorizes the resumption of imports such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, as well as poultry semen used for breeding and artificial insemination. The DA also emphasized that the risk of contamination from importing poultry and other related products is now considered negligible.

HPAI is a severe viral disease that primarily affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Caused by certain strains of the influenza type A virus, HPAI spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, secretions, or contaminated surfaces such as feed, water, and equipment. While human infections are rare, the virus poses significant risks to the poultry industry due to high mortality rates and trade disruptions.